Time for ambitious sea sailors to grab their application folders: since 31 March, sailors of legal age can apply for a sponsored campaign in the Mini-Transat 2021. As the association for the promotion of ocean sailing, Trans-Ocean e.V. (TO), announced at boot 2018, it will support a male or female sailor to take part in the single-handed race across the Atlantic, which for many is their entry into professional ocean sailing.
The association has now published the requirements that applicants must fulfil and also explains the background and motivation for the ambitious and logistically complex project:
Two years of preparation
"From the very beginning, the Mini-Transat regattas have been closely linked to the origins and work of the Trans-Ocean e.V. (TO), which was originally founded to support ocean racing. A TO member, Wolfgang Quix, sailed across the Atlantic on the Waarschip 570 "Waarwolf" (at 5.70 metres, the smallest boat ever to take part - there was no fixed "Mini" class yet) in the very first Mini-Transat in 1977. Many more were to follow and names such as Boris Hermann, Hendrik Masekowitz, Dominik Lenk and - currently from the 2017 race - Lina Rixgens and Andreas Deubel, have become well-known as successful participants and are associated with the TO as members.
The regatta series, which started out as the "Poor Man's Race", has since developed into a rather costly affair. In addition to a "Mini" fully equipped for ocean racing, around two years of preparation, qualification regattas and training must be calculated. The current participants realise this financially through clever marketing, committed public relations work and, in some cases, generous supporters and sponsors.
The TO or its members have already promoted and supported a number of campaigns in the past, reason enough to go one step further after the TO's 50th anniversary. For the Mini-Transat 2021, the TO wants to expand its contribution and support a sailor with an absolutely competitive and fully equipped production boat, with logistics and with an absolutely high-ranking team of experts. We are looking for a suitable skipper for this boat. The team of experts will also support us in selecting a suitable participant."
Prominent support
According to the invitation to tender, this team of experts is made up of well-known German offshore sailors, most of whom can look back on at least one Mini-Transat participation of their own: Boris Herrmann (Mini-Transat 2001), Wolfgang Quix (1977), Andreas Deubel (2017), Jörg Riechers ( 2009, 2011, 2017) and Tim Kröger.
According to the announcement, the programme is aimed at adult sailors "at the beginning of their career in ocean sailing" who are able and willing to devote themselves fully to the two years of preparation for the race. Work or studies should be put on hold during this time.
Application deadline 30 June
Trans-Ocean e.V. will accept applications until 30 June 2018, by post to Trans-Ocean e.V., Bahnhofstr. 26 - Atlantic-Haus, 27472 Cuxhaven or by e-mail and MiniTransat@trans-ocean.org. Who will sail across the Atlantic under the TO flag in 2021 will be announced at the end of September 2018. The Conditions of participation can be viewed here.
You can read about what the German participants experienced at the last Mini-Transat and how they prepared for the regatta in YACHT 1/2018 and 21/2017. The issues can be can be ordered here.
The race
The Mini-Transat, also known as the Transat 6.50, was first launched in England in 1977 as the "Poor Man's Race". Boats no longer than six and a half metres, the "minis", were used to sail across the Atlantic in order to keep costs low. Today, the biennial regatta is well-established and is regarded as an introduction to ocean racing. Professionals such as Ellen MacArthur, Bruno Peyron, Bernard Stamm, Isabelle Autissier and Boris Herrmann competed in the Mini-Transat at the start of their careers.
The boats
Sailing takes place in two categories: Prototypes and production boats. The "Protos" are innovative one-off constructions made of carbon fibre with pivoting keels, centreboards, often retractable rudders, pivoting and rotating masts and, in some cases, foils. From ten identical boats upwards, a mini is considered a series boat (e.g. Pogo, Ofcet), which is cheaper to buy new.
The qualification
All of the approximately 80 participants must complete 1000 miles in mini-races and 1000 miles single-handed on a fixed course on their boat before the start.
The route
In 2017, the first leg led from La Rochelle to Gran Canaria, the second continued over around 2700 nautical miles to Martinique. Depending on the organising sailing club, the course changes every few years.
